Philyaw Sidelined for at Least Two Weeks
February 26, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Albany/Indiana Firebirds News Release
INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana Firebirds' starting quarterback Raymond Philyaw has been placed on the team's injured reserve list and will miss at least two weeks with a dislocated right index finger. Philyaw sustained the injury during Sunday afternoon's loss to the Arizona Rattlers.
"Raymond suffered a right index finger contusion," said team doctor Dale Snead. "He will go under further evaluation, but for now will definitely be out at least two weeks."
Philyaw, currently the fifth highest rated passer in the League, had been hitting on all cylinders prior to the injury. In three-plus games this season, Philyaw has completed 57-of-91 pass attempts for 669 yards and ten touchdowns without throwing an interception. He leads all quarterbacks with four rushing touchdowns and is tied for second in the League in that category. He is also tied for third in overall rushing yards (58).
"Injuries are a part of this game," said Firebirds Head Coach Mike Dailey. "It is unfortunate to lose a guy the caliber of Raymond, especially when he is your starting quarterback. Hopefully he will only be out a couple of weeks. We are just fortunate to have an established quality back up in Craig Whelihan."
In Philyaw's absence, backup quarterback Craig Whelihan will inherit the starting job. Whelihan brings a wealth of experience, having previously been a starter in the NFL and the AFL. He started a total of fourteen games with the NFL's San Diego Chargers during the 1997 and 1998 seasons, where he completed 267-of-558 pass attempts for 3,160 yards and fourteen touchdowns. Whelihan started thirteen games for the Orlando Predators during the 2001 season, completing 224-of-377 passes for 3,004 yards (3rd in franchise history) and 60 touchdowns (2nd in franchise history), earning First-Team All-Rookie honors.
Whelihan and the Firebirds return to action on Sunday when they welcome the expansion Colorado Crush into Conseco Fieldhouse for the first-ever meeting between the two franchises. The Crush are owned by legendary quarterback John Elway, who also serves as the team's President and CEO. Tickets to the game can be purchased at the Conseco Fieldhouse Box Office, all Ticketmaster Outlets, Ticketmaster charge-by-phone at 317-239-5151 and firebirds.com.
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 26, 2003
- Coaching Legends Square Off - AFL I
- Garcia on Record Pace - AFL I
- Philyaw Sidelined for at Least Two Weeks - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
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- Cobras Add Three To Active Roster - Carolina Cobras
- Marcum was Born to Coach - AFL I
- Dragons Game Notes - New York Dragons
- Firebirds GAme Notes - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
- Dragons Hire Todd Shell as New Head Coach - New York Dragons
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